Pak Permanently Suspends Samjhauta Express Service

Pakistanon Thursday announced that it is permanently discontinuing the SamjhautaExpress train service with India following New Delhi's revocation of specialstatus for Jammu and Kashmir.

Thedecision of withdrawal of train service was announced by Pakistan's RailwayMinister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed at a press conference. He said that the bogies ofthe train will now be used for passengers travelling on the occasion of Eidwhich will increase the capacity of Eid trains and more people will be able totravel in them.

TheSamjhauta Express ran twice a week from Lahore to Attari via the Wagah railwaystation.

Theminister said that people who have bought tickets for the Samjhauta Expresswill be reimbursed saying that the passengers can collect the payment from thedivisional superintendent office of Lahore.

Theminister further stated that they don't want war but they also can't sitquietly over Indian atrocities in Kashmir adding that Srinagar is notJerusalem.

Thetrain service was suspended earlier this year after military tensions escalatedbetween the two neighbours following the Pulwama attack and Balakot strike.